Tea Time

It's tea time at the studio and to be hostess with the mostest, one must always be prepared. Here are a few things to always have on hand for any spontaneous guests:

- Quality loose leaf teas with brewing pot
- Plenty of cups and saucers

- Cream or Milk

- Sugar
- Good Manners

- Biscuits or Cake

This is Your Dessert on Broil

Cajun Apple Crisp?

Actually, this is my dessert on cook-paying-to-much-attention-to-the-internet-and-not-enough-to-the-toaster.  But I found that blog title a little wordy. 

Despite the burnt topping, this was actually quite delicious.  So regardless of my failed attempt, I still share the recipe with you. 




Ingredients:
1/2 c almonds, ground
dash or two of salt
1/4 t cinnamon
1/8 t nutmeg
1.5 T rolled oats
1/8 c oil
1 T real maple syrup, or agave nectar
2 tart apples (Granny Smith, in this case)

Supplies:
Toaster Oven
2 small bowls
Cutting Board + Knife
Muffin Tins, Ramekins, Loaf Pan or some other small baking dish

Directions:
If you have whole or sliced almonds, grind them in the food processor to a flour-like consistency.  Then mix together almonds, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon and oats.  Stir in oil and maple syrup. 

Separately, core apples and cut into slices.  Place apple slices in baking dish and top with crumble mixture.  Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees until apples are soft and topping is crisp (not black).  Toaster oven temperatures and cooking times may vary.

Best of luck, my friends, and remember:  eat your dessert first. 

Homemade Turkey Stew

I had already taken a bowl
before the picture :)

On a rainy day like this, there is nothing quite like a stew to warm the soul.

This cleanse-friendly stew is my first meat recipe on the blog.  After many years of vegetarian- and pescetarian-ism, I began eating organic meats in small portions when my body was encountering some health problems and I had to go off of carbohydrates for a while (my vegetarian diet being very carb-heavy).  So now instead of calling myself "vegetarian" or "pescetarian," I've settled for "I'm just particular."  :)  I was never much into labels anyway. 

I hope you meat-eaters out there enjoy the recipe. 

Ingredients:
1 lb turkey thighs or breast, cut into cubes
1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1/2 qt vegetable or chicken broth
3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into slices
1 medium turnip, peeled, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes
(parsnips, rutabagas and beets are all good subs/additions too)
1/2 t salt
pinch of rosemary
pinch of thyme
pinch of basil
fresh ground pepper to taste
garlic to taste
olive oil

Supplies:
Hot Plate
Toaster Oven
Shallow Oven-Safe Dish with Lid
Cutting Board + Knife

Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place pan on hot plate and heat small amount of olive oil over medium high heat.  Add turkey pieces and brown, 2-3 minutes on each side.  Add onions and celery to pan.  Cooking for 2-3 more minutes until onions start to become slightly translucent.

Add salt and 1/2 the broth.  Bring to simmer.  Cover and place pan in oven, cooking for one hour.

After an hour, remove from oven and add the rest of the vegetables, herbs and stock  Return to the oven and cook until vegetables are tender - approximately one hour.

Remove and let cool slightly before serving.

New Year, New Cycle, New Beginnings

Today marks the beginning of a new year. And seeing as January is also my birthday month, it brings a special significance of new beginnings to me. So amongst the party poppers of New Year's Eve and the birthday rug cutting and an annual pap smear, January is also a time of reflection, creation and cleansing.

This year, amongst my laundry list of new year's resolutions which include learning Spanish and completing 30 days of yoga, I've taken on a 30-day cleanse. Mine is:

* gluten-free
* dairy-free
* alcohol-free (gasp! I may have to make an exception for my birthday)
* sugar-free (uh ... at least trying)
* low caffeine (oh, sweet aeropress, I will see you in a month)
* And complete will an assortment of supplements, teas, juices and exercise

To each their own, but if you are attempting a cleanse this January, here are a few tips to get started:

1. Determine the rules
Figure out how long you are going to cleanse, what you are subtracting or adding to your diet, if you are focusing on cleansing a particular part of your body (digestive, liver, etc.).

2. Clear the Cupboard
Take a survey and remove all the items that you are not suppose to consume during your cleanse.  Give them away to a friend or, if they aren't perishable, store them somewhere out of sight until your cleanse is through.

3. Plan ahead
Look up recipes that fit your cleanse.  Go to the store ahead of time and pick up the necessary ingredients.  I also signed up for a CSA during the course of my cleanse so I'll have fresh, organic, local produce delivered to my door.  No excuse!

4. Pack your own snacks
Too often when you are hungry, it's easy to grab those chips or cookies or pasta or [fill in the blank] that are sure to spoil your cleanse.  Be sure to carry around cleanse-approved snacks to avoid falling off the wagon.

5. Drink lots of water
Your body is going need to help flushing out all those toxins, so drink up and stay hydrated throughout your cleanse.

For those of you not cleansing this January, excuse the healthy recipes for the next month and wish me luck.  Happy New Years, everyone!